Wow, what a day! 10/25/2010
I conceded the election a few hours ago and wished Councillor Stintz well in her next term. Thank you so much for your support Ward 16. Thanks to those that assisted in all those small tasks that became such a big help. To those I knew and now know better and those that I met along the way, I am truly grateful. I waited until my 30th birthday to join the race in Ward 16 and am not entirely disappointed with a third place finish. I am looking forward to the political challenges in the years to come and have relished all the challenges this election had to offer. Congrats to my opponents Karen, Terry and Roy. All of you have been classy professionals. http://www.globaltoronto.com/decision2010/index.html?time=08452 Town Crier Debate 10/20/2010
http://www.mytowncrier.ca/viewthread.php?tid=16472&extra= During the last council session, Councillor Stintz indicated that, "three of my opponents" were on the working group for Orchard View and Duplex development. We'll low and behold she did it again on Monday, almost verbatim. She forgot to mention that I walked out of the first and only working group meeting I attended because it was clear that the community would never support a development that has a density of over 1000%. She voted in favour of that development....and the Riocan redevelopments at Yonge and Eglinton...and the Riocan retirement homes on Avenue Road...and the Riocan development at Lawrence Heights. Oriole Park residents association captured some interesting quotes from the Rogers televised debate as well. That debate can been seen by going to Rogers online entering your Rogers account number and a password. TGC All Candidates Meeting The Toronto Green Community will be holding an All Candidates Meeting on local environmental issues in the North Toronto community on Thursday, October 14. Date: Thursday, October 14 Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Location: North Toronto Memorial Community Centre 200 Eglinton Avenue West (2 lights west of Yong Street) We have invited all City Council candidates in Wards 16 (Eglinton-Lawrence), 22 (St. Paul’s), and 26 (Don Valley West) to participate. *Catherine Porter from the Toronto Star will be the moderator for the event. CANDIDATES FOR WARD 16: Michael Coll, Roy Macdonald, Terry Mills, Karen Stintz CANDIDATES FOR WARD 22: William Molls, Chris Sellors, Josh Matlow, Elizabeth Cook CANDIDATES FOR WARD 26: Tanvir Ahmed, Jon Burnside, Mohammed Dhanani, Shaukat Malik, Salim Nawab Khan, Yunus Pandor, John Parker The event is free of charge and everyone is welcome to attend! Light refreshments will be served. Email outreach@torontogreen.ca or call us at 416-781-7663 for more information! A vision for Transit in Toronto 10/10/2010
I find it interesting to see how important this topic has escalated throughout the election. World class cities have world class transit systems and I get that. What I do not understand is how candidates can propose something that they have so little control over. The Metrolinx plan has been approved by the last council. It is a $50,000,000,000 plan. It is one the "new council" must consider carefully, before choosing a course of action. The funding for this transit system is also in question. The provincial government has extended there commitment beyond the original time frame. There is also the question of whether the Provincial Conservatives will continue the plan, if they form the next government in Ontario. The city cannot afford to do both the Metrolinx plan and build subways. This is unless you plan on privatizing part or all of these LRT/Subway lines. I am not in favour of this method, but perhaps that should be the real question to these candidates. If the interest among residents is personal, they can rest assured that all four candidates in Ward 16 have expressed they're interest- in the chosen mode of transportation to be below ground on Eglinton Ave. West and a commitment to making the TTC a cleaner, more efficient service. Both front-running mayoral candidates have proposed free transit for seniors during the weekday. If approved this will reduce the occupancy load on the Yonge subway line during rush hours as well. Were almost there ---90% reached 10/01/2010
Four months into the campaign and we are at 90% of our fund raising target. The phones have not stopped after the televised debate on Tuesday and an army of volunteers is distributing flyers throughout the community, giving me an opportunity to meet more of you personally. I have been knocking on doors since July and I realize that Ward 16 contains some of the warmest caring individuals I have ever met. I have never been more dedicated to getting you the representation you deserve. Please keep the calls and emails coming, small donations are 75% redeemable and key to finishing what we started. Lets protect small business, lets protect your taxpayer dollars and lets begin to protect this community from irresponsible development. Michael Back to back debates 09/30/2010
 Stanley Knowles Debate This was the second of two debates, in two nights and was informative. The people of Stanley Knowles co-op were well informed and asked the tough questions. Thanks again for the invitation and we are looking forward to the Fairlawn United Church -All candidates meeting next week. There was one notable absence from the debate last evening. Councillor Stintz was attending a previous commitment. Miss a day, miss a lot 09/25/2010
This week has been very interesting week to say the least. A video surfaced from council from itstoobig.ca(Areca?) I've started my 30 days of waste to show how the Councillor's office expenses have been spent over the last 4 years. This appears today on the home page. A very significant week on the campaign trail, handing out thousands of flyers and taking dozens of new sign orders on my email, coll4council.com The rogers televised debate and the Stanley Knowles debate are only a few days away. Surveys, surveys, surveys 09/19/2010
Very few days go by where someone does not send the campaign team a survey on a special interests(cycling, environment, transportation). They include very specific commitments in the form of yes or no questions. I have an example of one here. I do not think it is fair to make broad based commitments without public consultation, which is the reason I have not answered some of these pointed questions. If you see one of these surveys in the newspaper or online and you have any questions, feel to to call or email me. Big canvass coming to your street 09/13/2010
The Election race is really heating up. The candidates list is finalized and four candidates are registered for Ward 16. Four debates are scheduled starting tomorrow with the Post City Online debate. An article should be released in the Canadian Jewish News in the next few days on all four candidates. Debates scheduled are September 28, 2010 on Rogers cable 10, Fairlawn Church all candidates meeting is October 6, 2010. Toronto Green Community Candidates meeting is October 14 from 7pm- 9pm at North Toronto Memorial. The last scheduled debate is the Avenue Road Eglinton Community Association debate October 18, 2010, also at North Toronto Memorial at 7pm. On term limits for city councillors 09/02/2010
In theory it sounds great. Short terms, ensure a constant turnover every twelve years. Here are the problems in reality. Developers apply for projects in a timely manner. They are aware of when elections are and fund candidates accordingly. If they were to put term limits, the number of planning applications would triple in the final years. If the current councillor won't support the development, then they will fund someone who will. Applications and appeals at the OMB can take 5 years, a change in concurrent leadership will hinder the process. What happens if there are no great candidates willing to run, will they choose the best of those candidates running, rather then an effective current Councillor? The majority of current City Councillors would no longer be able to run for office in 2014. It undermines democracy. If people make their way out to vote for an incumbent on election day, its because they feel like they are doing a good job. Who are we to tell them they cannot vote for someone? | Michael Coll
A Toronto resident, political activist and marathoner. I sit on Durham Labour Council's Executive Board. I have also held the role of Treasurer at Scarborough United Soccer Club and Union in Politics Chairperson at a CAW local ArchivesOctober 2010 Categories |
Michael Coll for Toronto City Council Election 2010
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